Monthly Forecast

By Maria DeSimone

Libra Horoscope: March 2013

Step Up to the Plate

This month marks your transition from a period of preparation -- almost an apprenticeship -- to your quest for a higher level of recognition from others. March begins with the Sun in adaptable Pisces and your 6th House of Employment. The New Moon in this pliable sign on March 11 can spur you to develop new skills or take the ones you have even farther. This lunation brings artistry and charm to the workplace with its conjunctions to the creative cosmic couple of Venus and Mars.

However, your willingness to sacrifice yourself to please others begins to slip with go-getter Mars' move into independent Aries and your 7th House of Partnerships on March 12. You're more likely to achieve the equality you desire and the attention you deserve when you stand up and claim them for yourself instead of passively waiting for others to notice you.

Mental Mercury's forward turn in your 6th House of Employment on March 17 rejuvenates your thinking and increases efficiency in your daily life. The Sun blazes into Aries, marking the Vernal Equinox and firing up relationships in your 7th House on March 20. This solar shift kicks up your confidence, empowering you to be more assertive with others. It's also a good time to go public with projects, seek a job, and pursue love.

It's critical that you take the initiative around the March 27 Libra Full Moon, which falls in your 1st House of Personality. The Sun, Venus, Uranus, and Mars face the Moon from your 7th House of Partnerships, which can keep you dancing to someone else's tune unless you take up the baton and start leading the band yourself.

Keep in Mind this Month

The comfort of others is not your primary responsibility now. You have the most to gain if you put your own interests first.

Key Dates for Libra

March 21-22: Blast Off!

Your patience grows short as Venus enters reckless Aries and your 7th House of Others on March 21. Your attempts to cover up disagreements are likely to fail with a volatile Mars-Uranus conjunction turning the heat up even higher on March 22. Happily, both planetary patterns can motivate you to be bolder and more direct with people. Less sweetness and more sass is bound to get you noticed in a big way. Look to innovative alliances and original methods to break through obstacles and get projects and partnerships moving at a faster pace.

SUPER NOVA DAYS

March 28-31: Rock 'n Roll Star

You are especially captivating now with a beautiful Sun-Venus conjunction on March 28. Unconventional Uranus amplifies the power of this alignment of will and wiles with a fresh attitude or unique appearance. You may be surprised by unexpected personal and professional connections. Their ultimate value will be tested when Venus has challenging encounters with super-serious Saturn on March 30 and perceptive Pluto on March 31. Yet even if you have to lower your expectations in one situation, a rich Venus-Jupiter sextile promises bigger emotional or material rewards somewhere else.